Part Two

He swam through the kingdom, heading for the beach where Yugi and he had played as children and later had dates. As he drew closer, he stopped when he saw a human on the beach. He looked again and relaxed: It was Solomon. Just the human I need to see. He surfaced and called, "Solomon!" as he came closer.

The old man smiled at the prince as he crawled out of the water. "Atem, how nice to see…what are you doing?"

Atem had crawled onto the dry sand before saying, "Watch." He closed his eyes and focused on the spell. He felt a tingle and the feel of cloth against his skin as well as a gasp from Solomon. He opened his eyes to see princely clothes that covered him from his neck down to his brand-new legs and feet.

"When could you do that?"

"Just now. Yugi told me about getting married and I told Father. He suggested I try to postpone or stop the wedding and that you may want to help as well as provide me with a human crown."

"Of course I'll help." Solomon extended a hand and helped Atem to his feet. He was standing comfortably and confidently on his feet, thanks to the spell. Solomon led him into the castle through a door located in the back garden and into his bedchamber where they selected a crown that Solomon had only worn once and had never been seen by the queen. They then sat to discuss how to stop the wedding which was the more desirable outcome.

"I thought I would approach the queen and present myself as Yugi's betrothed," Atem said. "It's the simplest plan really."

"Yes, but you'll need to name a place that Yugi's been to in order for her to believe you. Luckily, I know just the place: The kingdom of Northland. She's heard of the place, but only Yugi and I have been there and it was around the time you got betrothed."

"Perfect. So, I need to enter the castle properly." Both got up and Solomon led him back out the back door and down to the docks to stand beside a ship briefly before Solomon led him up to the front doors. From there, he was led to a set of double doors. Solomon turned to Atem.

"Let me announce you properly."

Atem nodded as Solomon eased into the room and said, "Your Majesty, may I present Prince Atem of the kingdom of Northland." The doors were flung open by the guards on the outside and Atem strode forward to the steps of the throne, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty." He straightened up to see Yugi standing beside his mother.

Yugi reacted before his mother could speak. "Atem!" he exclaimed as he came down the steps and tightly embraced his betrothed. Atem returned the gesture.

"Yugi, you've met this young man before?" the queen asked, a little shocked by her son's reaction.

"He does, Your Majesty," Solomon answered. "You see, when he was twelve, Yugi and I took a trip to Northland and met Atem. The two boys took to each other so much that the king asked if they would like to be betrothed. Naturally, they said yes. Yugi and I have taken a few trips to Northland since then."

"Betrothed?" the queen repeated. "Yugi, why didn't you tell me?"

The boys broke their hug and Yugi faced his mother. "I was afraid you wouldn't approve."

"Wouldn't approve? Yugi, your happiness is important to me. If being with Prince Atem makes you happy, then I have no objections. When's the wedding?"

"In a month when Yugi turns sixteen," Atem answered. "I'm afraid it's a private ceremony. Just the two of us and my father."

"Nevertheless, I won't have Yugi travelling to Northland alone. Solomon, since you've been to Northland before, you will accompany Yugi to his new home in about a month's time."

Solomon bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Atem, how did you get here?" Yugi asked once they were in his room.

"Father had a spell to turn merpeople human until they come into contact with seawater. Once I return home, I can't become human again unless I ask for the spell to be cast again."

"And the story Grandpa told?"

"That was his idea entirely. It was quite good."

"I'll say. But if Mother expects us to leave a few days before the wedding, where will Grandpa go?"

"I don't know, but I suspect he already has a few ideas about that."

Atem spent a few days on land, seeing Yugi's kingdom and experiencing some human things such as bathing and sampling human food at mealtimes, explaining to the queen that he was accustomed to different food, but willing to try Yugi's and present his cooks with the recipes. The queen was only too happy to have the cooks provide Atem with the recipes.

Yugi's world is amazing, Atem thought as he laid in bed on his last night on land. It's incredible that Yugi's willing to give up his human life and form to spend the rest of his life with me. He is so sweet and I love him for that. Atem rolled over and slipped off to sleep.

Meanwhile, down the hall, Yugi was also in bed thinking of the last few days and his future. He had spent most of his time showing Atem his kingdom and watching Atem learn of the human world. He is so naïve about how humans live, which makes sense since he's never been human before. His naiveté is sweet and I thought he looked adorable when trying out the food. His explanation to Mother was perfect.

I only have a few weeks left as a human before I'll be trading my legs for a tail permanently. Actually, I can still go on land until the wedding. When Akhenamkhanen places my sea crown on my head, that's when I will be a merman for good. I can hardly wait!